Valve controlling device



. June 16,1931. THOMAS 1,810,540

VALVE GONIROLLING DEVICE Filed Dec. 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l )l filllllllllllll l i /&

y la l6 INVENTOR FRANK B. THOMAS v ATTO EY June 16, 1931. THOMAS 1,810,540

VALVE CONTROLLING DEVICE I Filed Dec. 21, 192'! 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

A! 55 I 4| J III? INVENTOR FRANK B. THOMAS 'ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1931 FRANK n'rrioivras, OEWILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoR 1 THE wnsrma- HOUSE AIR,

' r or PENNSYLVANIA BRAKE COMIANY, OF WILMERDING, IEN NSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION VALVE CONTROLLING DEVICE Application filed December 21,1927. Serial No. 241, 52.

This invention relates to fluid pressure devices and more particularly to valve means associated with said devices for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure for various purposes. 2

The principal object of the invention is I to provide a novel mechanism for automatilfi cally controlling the operation of a. fluid pressure control valve such as, the relief or unloading valve of a fluid compressor, the valve means of a governor valve device orany other desired valve means.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a compressor and. an. unloading device therefor embodying .iny invention, the unloading device being shown in loading positionyFig. 2 is like .view showing the device in, unloading position; Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of oneof thepartsof the device; and Figs. 4 and. 5-,are diagrammatic sectional views of a fluid pressure governor device embodying my invention,Fig. 4 showing the mechanism in one of its operating positions, and Fig. 5 showing the mechanism in another operating position. I c

In Figs-1 and 2 my invention is shown applied to a fluid compressor which operates continuously, as distinguished from the type in which the compressor is stopped when the. pressure of the fluid compressed by the compressor has been increased to a predetermined degree and is started when the pressure of fluid has been reduced to a predetermined degree.

A portion 1 of the fluid compressor cylinder is shown in the drawings, having the usual, compressor piston 2 and. provided with an inlet valve (not shown) and a discharge valve 3 mounted in a cover plate 4.

Fluid compressed by the compressor is discharged from the compressor, into a tank or reservoir 5, by way of the discharge valve 3.

Contained in a cylinder in the cover plate 7 4, is a piston 6 having a stem 7, the outer endof 'whioh-isfl'pivotally connected with a casing 8 pivotally connected with the cover plate 4 and containing a coil spring 9 which acts upon aplunger 10, telescopically sucha degree that the fluid under will bein theposition as shown in mounted in said casing 8, said casing and plunger forming in efi'ect, an operating arm. The chamber 11, atone side of the piston 6, is connected tothe reservoir 5 by a pipe and passage 12, and the chamber 13, at the other I side of the piston, contains a [coil spring 14 adapted to cooperate with the piston. Mounted ina recess in the cover plate 4, which opens to a compressor piston chamber 15, is a relief or unloading valve 16, having an operating steml't' which extends through a bore in'the cover plate and carries at its outer end a spring follower plate 18, and interposed 'betweenthis plate and the cover plate 4, is a coil spring 19.

' Pivotally mounted on the cover plate4,

an operating arm 20 which may have an inwardly extending projection 21 which is adapted to engage the outer end of the stem 1'4" to open the relief or unloading valve 16. The outer end surface 22 of the arm 20,and the outer endsurface 23 of'the plunger are substantially V -shaped inthe direct-ion of the length of the arm and plunger. Interposed between the arm and the plunger 10, is a connecting'member 24, having wedge-shaped ends, the apices of which en;- gage the centers of the. V-shaped surfaces 22 and. Y23. At each side of the wedgesh'aped end portions of the member 24, lugs 25 are provided which extend outwardly beyond the apices of the ends, and these lugs, when the member is in its operative position, are adapted to overlap the outer end of the arm 20 and the outer end of the plunger 10'and thus prevent undue sidewisemovement of the member, relative to the plunger and arm.

Assuming the reservoir 5 to be charged to pressure therefrom is notsufiicient to move the piston 6,"the unloading device or mechanism v Fig. l of the drawings, in which position the projection 21 on the arm 20 will be held out of engagement with the stem 17 of the unloa'ding valve and the arm 20 will be held in engagement with a stop 26 on the cover plate 4, by the pressure of the spring 9, through the medium of the plunger and member 24. In this position of the unloading device, it will be noted that the center of the V-shaped surface 23 of the plunger 10 is below the center of the V-shaped surface 22 of the arm 20, so that, as long as the pressure of fluid from the reservoir is not sufficient to move the piston 6, the arm 20 will be held in engagement with the stop 26 and the unloading valve 16 will be maintained closed by the pressure of the spring 19 against the follower plate 18 on the stem 17.

As the compressor operates to compress fluid into the reservoir 5, in the usual manner, the pressure in the piston chamber 11 is increased, and when the pressure has been increased sutficiently to overcome the opposing pressure of the spring 14, the piston 6 moves upwardly, and as the stem 7 of the piston is connected with the casing 8, this casing together with the plunger 10 will be caused to move upwardly, the spring 9, which is initially compressed, maintaining the plunger 10 in engagement with one end of the member 24. As the reservoir 5 becomes charged to a predetermined degree, the casing 8, plunger 10 and the end of the member 24 which is in engagement with the plunger 10, will be moved to such a position that the center of the V-shaped surface 23 will pass above the center of the V V-shaped surface 22 of the arm 20, in other words, the pivot point between the plunger 10 and the cooperating end of the member 24'will pass above the pivot point between the arm 20 and the cooperating end of the member '24. -At the time the pivot point between the plunger 10 and the adjacent end of the'member 24 pass abovethe pivot point between the arm 20 and the adjacent end of the member 24, the pressure of the spring 9 will be directed downwardly, and this pressure, plunger 10 and member 24, will cause the arm 20 to move downwardly with a quick, snap'like action, and theprojection 21 will engage the outer end of the stem 17 and thus open the unloading or relief valve 16, and this valve will be held open by the pressure of the spring 9, which is suflicient to overcome the pressureof the spring 19.

hen the unloading device is in unloading position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, excessive downward movement of the valve 16 and valve stem 17 is prevented by a stop 27 interposed between the follower plate 18 and the cover plate 4. Excessive upward movement of the piston 6 is prevented by a shoulder 28 on the stem 7 engaging a cover plate 29. It will thus be seen that the several parts of the unloading. mechanism'are permitted to move just farenough to ensure the proper operation of the mechanism, and as this movement is kept to a the piston transmitted through the minimum, the action of the parts is quick and positive.

The opening of the valve 16 connects piston chamber 15 with the atmosphere through a passage 30, so that the compressor now operates without compressing fluid and therefore without load.

When the pressure in the reservoir 5 has been reduced to a predetermined degree, the pressure of the spring 14 causes the piston 6, casing 8, plunger 10 and adjacent end of the member 24 to move downwardly until comes to rest against the bottom of the piston chamber 11, at which time, the pivot point between the plunger 10 and the adjacent end ofthe member 24 will have been moved to a point below the pivot point between the opposite end of the member 24 and the arm. 20, so that, the pressure of the spring 9 is directed upwardly, and the pressure of this spring, acting on the arm 20, through themedium of the plunger 10. and the member 24, will cause the arm 20 to move upwardly with a quick, snap like action into engagement with the stop 26, and the pressure of the spring 9, through the medium of the plunger 10 and member 24, will maintain the arm 20 in this position until such time as the pressure is again built"up in the reservoir 5. This upward movement of the arm 20 permits the valve 16 to be closed by the action of the spring 19 through the medium of the follower plate 18 and-stem 17.

In Figs. 4and 5 of the drawings, my invention is shown applied to a fluid pressuregovernor valve device which is usually employed for eifecting the control'of a fluid compressor of the type which does not operate continuously, but is stopped when the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressonhasbeen increased to a predetermined degree and is started when the pressure of fluid has been reduced to a predetermined degree.

' he governor valve device may comprise a casing 31 having a chamber 32 which is connected to the reservoir 5 by a pipe 33. Contained in the chamber 32 is a piston 34 having a piston stem 35 which extends through a cover plate 36 and at its outer end is pivotally connected with the casing 8,'pivo 'tall'y connected with the cover plate. Contained within a valve chamber 37 in the casing 31, which is connected to the reservoir 5 by the pipe 33, is a valve 39 which controls communication to a chamber 40. Contained within a valve chamber 41 is a valve 42 which controls communication betweenchambers 40 and 41, said chamber 41 being connected to theatmosphere through a port 43. .The valve 42 is provided with a stem 44 which projects through the cover plate 36 and is adapted to be operatively chamber 46 of the switch device 45.

engaged by the projection 21 on the arm 20, pivotally connected with the cover plate.

.Associated with'the governor valve device is the usual switch device for automatically controlling the operation of the compressor (not shown). The switch device may comprise a casing having a chamber 46 containing a piston 47 and connected with the chamber 40 of the governor valve device by a passage 48. The piston 47 has a stem 38 which projects through the casing and carries a contact 49 which is adapted to be moved into or out of contact with contact terminals 50 and 51 for controlling the operation of the motor driven compressor.

Assuming the reservoir 5 to be charged with fluid under pressure, the several parts of my invention will be in the positions shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, in which the piston 34 is held in its upper position against the pressure of coil springsv 52 and through the medium of the stem 35, the easing 8, spring 9 and plunger 10, will beheld in their upper positions, in which, the connecting member 24 directs the force of the spring 9 downwardly against the arm 20, and the arm 20, due to the force of the spring 9, holds the valve 42 closed and. the valve 39 open against the pressure of a spring 53 so that fluid under pressure from the reservoir 5 will flow through pipe 33, piston chamber 37, pastrthe open valve 39 vinto chamber 40 and from v thence through passage 48 to the piston chamber 46 of the switch device. andwill maintain the piston 47 contained therein, in its upper position against the pressure of,v a coil spring 54, in which position the electric circuit to the compressor motor is maintained open, rendering the. compressor inoperative.

Now assuming the pressure of fluid in the reservoir to be reduced to a predetermined degree, the pressure of the springs 52 of the governor valve device will move the piston 34 downwardly, andas the center of the connection between the plunger 10 and one end of the connecting member 24 passes below the center of the connection between the other end of the member 24 and the arm 20, the pressure of the spring 20, through the medium of the plunger 10 and member 24 will cause the arm 20 to move upwardly out of engagement with the stem 44, and the pressure of the spring 53 acting on the valve 39 will close the valve 39, thus closin off communication between the chambers 3? and 40 and the supply of fluid under pressure from the reservoir 5 to the piston As the valve, 39 is closed the valve 42 will be opened, so that, fluid under pressure in the piston chamber 46 of the switch device will be vented to the atmosphere by the way of passage 48, chamber 40 past thevalve 42 and through chamber 41 and atmospheric port 43, and the pressure of the spring 54, of the operating to compress fluid into the reservoir 5.

Now when the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor has been increased to a predetermined degree, the pressure of fluid, actingon the piston 34 of the governor valve device, willcause said piston 34, casing 8, plunger 10 and one end of the connecting member 24 to be moved upwardly, and as the center of the connection between the plunger 10 and the member 24 pass abovethe center of the connection between the connecting member 24 and the arm 20, the pressure of the spring 9 will be directed downwardly causing the arm 20 to be moved downwardly again into operative engage ment with the valve stem 44, thus closing the valve 42 and'opening the valve 39 so that the switehdevice will be operated to again render thecompressor inoperative as hereinbefore described.

The valve operating mechanism described in connection with a compressor and with a governor valve device, has a toggle-like action'to open and close a valve, and it will be understood that I contemplate the use of other means for producing-this togglelike action. a

While two illustrative embodiments of the invention has been described in detail it is not my intention to limit its scope to these embodiments or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is a 1. Thecoinbination with a fluid pressure controlling valve, of a pressuresensitive L element, a member operated by said pres sure sensitive element, a member operative to control the operation of said valve, and means pivotally engaging both of said members adapted, upona predetermined movement of the first mentioned member in one direction to cause the second mentioned member to operate in the opposite direction.

2. The combination with a fluid pressure controlling valve, of a pressure sensitive element, an element for controlling the operation of said valve, means for imposing pressure on the last mentioned element, and a member operatively connecting both of said elements adapted to change the direction of the force ofthe pressure imposing means to control the operation of said valve; 1 1 i 3. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressuresensitiveelement subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for venting fluid from the compressor cylinder, a plurality of positively connected arms operated by said pressure sensitive means for operating said valve means, and fixed pivots for said arms, one end of each of said arms being mounted on one ofsaid pivots.

l. The combination with a. fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for venting fluid from the compressor cylinder, two fixed pivots, an arm for operating said valve means and mounted on one of said pivots, an arm mounted on the other of said pivots and operatively connected with said pressure sensitive means and terminating short of the arm for operating the valve means, and a member inerposed between and pivotally connected to both of said arms operative by the last mentioned arm for controlling the operation of the first mentioned arm.

5. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for venting fluid from the compressor cylinder, two fixed pivots, an arm for operatin said valve means and mounted on one or said pivots, an arm mounted on the other of said pivots and operatively connected with said pressure sensitive means, and a member disposed in the direction of the length of said arms and loosely engaging the free ends of both ct said arms and operative by the last mentioned arm for operating the first mentioned arm.

6. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for venting fluid from the compressor cylinder, two fixed pivots, an arm for operating said valve means and mounted on one of said pivots, an arm mounted on the other of said pivots and operatively connected with said pressure sensitive means, and a member pivotally connected at one end with the free end of one of. said arms and pivotally connected at the other end with the free end of the other of said arms, one of said connections being movable above or below the other of said connections to operate the first mentioned arm.

7. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for venting fluid from the-compressor cylinder, two fixed pivots, an arm for operating said valve meansiand mounted on one of said pivots, an arm mounted on the other of said pivots and operatively connected with said pressure sensitive means, and a member pivotally connected at one end with the free end of the first mentioned arm and pivotally connected at the other end with the free end of the last mentioned arm, the last mentioned connection being movable by said element to a point above the first mentioned connection forcausing the first mentioned arm to operate to open said valve means and movable to a point below the first mentioned connection for causing the first mentioned arm to move out of operative engagement with said valve means.

8. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor chamher, and means for controlling the operation or" said valve means, said means comprising a plurality of operating arms spaced apart in the direction of their length, one of said arms bein 0 erativel connected with said aressure sensitive means and the other of said arms being movable into and out of engagement with said valve means, and a member extending between and operatively connecting said arms. 7

9. The combination with a fluid compressor, ot' a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor chamber, a member operative to control the operation of said valve means, a member adapted to be operated by said pressure sensitive means, said members being spaced apart in the direction of their length, and means adapted to be operated by one of said members for operating the other of said members to control the operation of said valve means. i

10. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor chamher, a member operative to control the operation of said valve means, a member adapted to be operated by said pressure sensitive means, and means interposed between in the direction of the length of said members whereby a predetermined movement of the second mentioned member will cause the first mentioned member to operate.

11. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor chamher, a member operative to control the operation of said valve means, a member adapted to be operated by said pressure sensitive means, said members being spaced apart in the direction of their length, and means interposed between and connecting said chamber, a member operative to control theoperation of said valve means, a member adapted to be operated by said pressure sensitive means, said members being spaced away from each other in the direction of their length, and means interposed between and pivotally connected to both of said members, adapted upon a predetermined movement of the second mentioned member in one direction to cause the first mentioned member to operate in the opposite direction.

13. The combination with a fluid compressor, of means for unloading said compressor including a pressure sensitive element, a member operated by said element, valve means, a member for operating said valve means, the adjacent ends of said members being spaced apart in the direction of the length of the members, and a member extending between and operatively connecting the adjacent ends of said members.

14. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means operative for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor cylinder, a member for controlling the operation of said valve means, and means positively connecting said element and member, said means comprising a plurality of longitudinally aligned members adapted to operate said member only when said element has operated a redetermined distance.

15. The com ination with a fluid compressor, ot a pressure sensitive elementsubject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means operative for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor cylinder, and means connected with said pressure sensitive element for controlling the operation of said valve means, said means comprising a member adapted to be operated by said pressure sensitive element, a member operative for controlling the operation of said valve means, pressure means for operating the second mentioned member, and means positively connecting said members and operative by the first mentioned member for controlling the direction of the pressure of said pressure means on the second mentioned member.

16. The combination with a fluid compressor, of a pressure sensitive element subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, valve means operative for controlling the venting of fluid from the compressor cylinder, and means connected with said pressure sensitive element for controlling'the'operationof said valve means, said means comprising a member-adapted to be; operated by said pressure'sensitive elementya member operative for controlling the operation of said valve means, spring meansmounted in the member operativeby said pressure sensitive means, and means engag'ing both of said members operative'by the first mentioned member for subjecting thesecond mentioned. member to the pressure of said spring means-for operating said second mentioned member. I

l'ZLThe -coi'mbination with a fluid com-- pressor, of a'pressure sensitive element subject to the'pressure of-fluid compressed by the compressonvalve means operative for controlling the venting offluid from the compressorcylinder, a pivotally mounted member for controlling the operation of said valve "means and having a limited movement, a pivotally mounted member operable bysaid pressure sensitive means and 'movable beyond thel limit of travel of the first'mentioned member, and means disposed in the direction of the length of bothof said members movable by the second mentioned member for operating the first mentioned member when the second mentioned member. is moved to a'point beyond the limit of travel o f'the first mentioned member. 1

"18, Thefcombination with a fluid compressor, of valve means for relieving the compressor of load, a fixed pivot, an element for'operating said valvemeans and mount-' ed' on" said pivot, a pressure exerting member connected 1 to said'element disposed'in the direction of the length of the element and acting in; one angular position to move said element in onedirjection and in anotherangular position to move said elementyin the opposite, direction, and -means 'operat-' pressed b' 'the compressor for movingsaid' member to its'diflerent angular positions.

19; The combination with a fluid compressor,*of valve'means for relieving the compressor of load, afiXed pivot, an element mounted on said pivot for operating said valve means, a member conn'ectedto said element and disposed in the direction: of thelengthof the element, means for sub-- jecting saidmember to pressure, said: member-in one position *exerting pressure to move said element in one direction and ex-i erting pres e in anot r'position to move said element in the opposite direction, and means subject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor for operating saidmember. i

"20. The combination'with a fluid "com pressor, -of valve means for relieving the compressor. of load, two fixed pivots, an elefl-s mentmoun'ted' on one ofsaid pivots "for operating said valve means, an element mounted on the other of said pivots and subject to: the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, the adjacent ends of said elements terminating short of each other, means for imposing pressure on the first mentioned element for operating it, a member engaging theadjacent ends of both of said elements and operative by the second mentioned element. for at one time directing the pressure of said means in one direction and at another time in another direction,

21. The combination with a fluid compressor, of valve means for relieving the compressor of load, two fixed pivots, an element for operating said valve means and mounted on one of said pivots, an element mounted on the other of said pivots andsubject to the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, the adjacent ends. of said elements terminating short of each other, means for imposing pressure on the first mentioned element for operating it, a member engaging the adjacent ends of both of said elements and operative by the second mentioned element to a plurality of angular positions, said member in one angularposition directing the force of the pressure imposing means in one direction and in another angular position directing the force of the pressure imposing means in the opposite direction.

22'. The combination with a fluid compressor, of valve means for relieving the compressor of load, two fixed pivots, an eler ment for operating said valve means and mounted on one of said pivots, an element mounted on the other of said pivots and subjectto the pressure of fluid compressed by the compressor, the adjacent; ends of said elements terminating short of each other, means for imposing pressure on the first mentioned element for operating it, a member engaging the adjacent'ends of both of said elements and operative by the second mentioned element for changing the direction of theforce of the pressure imposing means to control; the operation of said valve means. i

23. The combination with a fluid pressure controlling valve, of. a pressure sensitive, element, a member operated by said pressure sensitive element and having a notch formed in one of its ends, a member for con,

.v trolling the operation of: said valve and having a notch formed i: one of its ends, and a member engaging sald members Within said notches adapted upon the movement ot the first mentioned member to operate the second mentioned member.

24. The combination with a fluid pressure controlling valve, of a pressure sensitive element, a member operated by said pressure sensitive element and having a notch formed in one of its ends, a member for set my hand.

FRANK B. THOMAS. 

